Week 3 has been very fun, and I am becoming more confident in my abilities in the lab.

This week, we focused on collecting a lot of data using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA). I had several tasks to complete on my own. Although I was initially a bit nervous, I successfully completed each one and now feel confident in my ability to use the Raman Microscope independently. Early in the week, I got to do my favorite task: cutting and cleaning silicon squares. Because I arrive at the lab so early in the morning, I was able to finish cleaning and immerse them in the polymer, which requires a 90-minute soak. This allowed us to do multiple drop castings later in the day, saving us so much time.

Unfortunately, an issue with the data arose halfway through the week, forcing us to pivot and find a new approach to achieve the desired results. We decided that altering the pH might produce the effects we wanted, so on Friday, we focused on this. We spent several hours calibrating the pH meter and determining the ideal pH for our solution. Once we determined the right pH, we drop-casted the solution onto the samples. We will measure the data using SERS and SEIRA next Monday. I am very nervous about the results, as they are a big deal, but I am hopeful and ready to pivot again if needed.

I’ve continued to build bonds with my mentor and other graduate students, and I appreciate their time and knowledge. Many of them have shared their wisdom with me and answered all my questions about science, graduate school, or life in general. I hope to stay in touch with them and look forward to my upcoming weeks!